Editorial: Town hall meetings worth the trouble

Tuesday

Aug 25, 2009 at 12:01 AMAug 25, 2009 at 3:09 AM

When Congress returns to business on Capitol Hill next month, senators and representatives will very likely have stories to share on the summer of 2009. Town hall meetings held this month have provided theatrics suitable for the nightly news, with scenes of angry Americans yelling obscenities at their elected representatives on the health care bill. Despite the behavior of some of our fellow countrymen, and honestly it was despicable at times, town hall forums are still a valuable opportunity for both the constituency and our representatives to clear the air on the issues of the day.

When Congress returns to business on Capitol Hill next month, senators and representatives will very likely have stories to share on the summer of 2009.

Town hall meetings held this month have provided theatrics suitable for the nightly news, with scenes of angry Americans yelling obscenities at their elected representatives on the health care bill.

Despite the behavior of some of our fellow countrymen, and honestly it was despicable at times, town hall forums are still a valuable opportunity for both the constituency and our representatives to clear the air on the issues of the day.

In this case the focus was on health care, and the emotions ran hot. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., raised the specter of “brown-shirt” tactics at several of her gatherings, making a reference to the horrific memories of the Nazi party. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., was nothing less than insulting to several of his constituents, telling one audience member that trying to have a discussion on health care would be akin to talking to a dining room chair, and he chose not to do so.

Still, there were success stories. Congressman Don Manzullo, R-Rockford, held a forum in Elizabeth, two forums in Rockford, and he is planning another gathering in McHenry County. All of the town hall meetings were packed to overflowing with people who wanted to hear more about the health care plan, and more about what Manzullo was going to do about it. All of his meetings were orderly, and hardly comparable to the behavior witnessed and reported at other forums.

While Manzullo’s outreach is laudable, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s attitude is not.

The senior senator from Illinois, a leading author of the health care bill now before Congress, never intended to host a forum when the August break began. His comment to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch earlier this month should stick in voters’ minds when they return to consider his election in 2014: “I won’t be doing sucker-punch town hall meetings,” Durbin said. “They can do all the political theater they want, but I don’t have to supply the stage for them.”

His reaction is disappointing, and uncharacteristically fearful of the constituency he represents.

Town hall meetings are still a great opportunity to put people in touch with their elected officials, and an important part of our system of government.

Freeport Journal-Standard

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.